PM Modi touches feet of Keshubhai Patel at event in Gujarat

Gandhinagar, Mar 5: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday touched the feet of former Gujarat CM and veteran Patidar leader Keshubhai Patel on the stage of an event to seek his blessings.

Mr Modi, on the second day of his two-day visit of home state Gujarat, during participation of the Pran Pratishtha event of Annapurna Mata temple of Leuwa Patidar community in Adalaj, touched feet of Nonagenarian Keshubhai.

When PM touched his feet, Keshubhai gave him a tight hug with broad smile over his face. He seemingly looked very pleased at getting this kind of respect.

Notably, Mr Modi had taken the rein of Gujarat Chief Minister in 2001 and had replaced ailing Keshubhai. His unceremonious replacement by Narendra Modi was never taken too kindly by the Patel community and the discontent among the community has been simmering ever since. Gujarat earthquake relief mismanagement brought ill-reputation to Keshubhai and eventually ended in the poll loss in Gujarat. Soon, Keshubhai was sidelined by Modi.

Patidar community, both Leuwa and Kadwa, are seen as a strong vote bank of BJP and Modi. He had participated in a function of Kadwa community yesterday evening.UNI